Impact of A/H1N1 influenza in children at a Brazilian University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: A/H1N1 influenza is a viral disease that affects a significant part of the population mainly in winter, leading to increased number of medical consultations, hospitalizations and consequently care spending in emergency. METHODS: This is a case-series retrospective study, involving patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil in 2016 with a clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory infection of the influenza type and laboratory confirmation of influenza A/H1N1. RESULTS: 64 patients were included, mostly male, median age of 48.3 months. Chronic underlying diseases were found in 73% of the patients, and these patients evolved to the most unfavorable outcome. About vaccination, of the 57 patients with an age range for vaccination, only 28% had complete vaccination coverage. The main clinical manifestations found in the included patients were fever, cough, intercostal indrawing, wheezing, tachypnea and pulmonary crackles. These patients were mainly followed-up with laboratory tests and chest X-ray. Consolidation was evident in 43% of patients followed by interstitial infiltrate in 33%. A five-day course of neuraminidase inhibitor was prescribed for all patients, as recommended by the WHO, but due to the complications, 73% of the patients required antibiotic therapy, and 61% oxygen therapy. The majority of patients had a favorable outcome, but 11 required intensive care and one died. CONCLUSIONS: A/H1N1 influenza persists as an important public health problem, mainly due to high morbidity and hospitalization rates. It is important to identify patients with A/H1N1 influenza and clinical situations with higher risk of complications. Through this study, it is possible to analyze the characteristics of pediatric patients with A/H1N1 influenza and mainly to emphasize assistance of populations with comorbidities, since they present higher rates of complications and death.

Impact of A/H1N1 influenza in children at a Brazilian University Hospital

ABSTRACT Background A/H1N1 influenza is a viral disease that affects a significant part of the population mainly in winter, leading to increased number of medical consultations, hospitalizations and consequently care spending in emergency. Methods This is a case-series retrospective study, involving patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil in 2016 with a clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory infection of the influenza type and laboratory confirmation of influenza A/H1N1. Results 64 patients were included, mostly male, median age of 48.3 months. Chronic underlying diseases were found in 73% of the patients, and these patients evolved to the most unfavorable outcome. About vaccination, of the 57 patients with an age range for vaccination, only 28% had complete vaccination coverage. The main clinical manifestations found in the included patients were fever, cough, intercostal indrawing, wheezing, tachypnea and pulmonary crackles. These patients were mainly followed-up with laboratory tests and chest X-ray. Consolidation was evident in 43% of patients followed by interstitial infiltrate in 33%. A five-day course of neuraminidase inhibitor was prescribed for all patients, as recommended by the WHO, but due to the complications, 73% of the patients required antibiotic therapy, and 61% oxygen therapy. The majority of patients had a favorable outcome, but 11 required intensive care and one died. Conclusions A/H1N1 influenza persists as an important public health problem, mainly due to high morbidity and hospitalization rates. It is important to identify patients with A/H1N1 influenza and clinical situations with higher risk of complications. Through this study, it is possible to analyze the characteristics of pediatric patients with A/H1N1 influenza and mainly to emphasize assistance of populations with comorbidities, since they present higher rates of complications and death.

Pediatric emergency in Brazil: the consolidation of an area in the pediatric field.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present a review on the evolution, development, and consolidation of the pediatric emergency abroad and in Brazil, as well as to discuss the residency program in this key area for pediatricians. DATA SOURCES: This was a narrative review, in which the authors used pre-selected documents utilized as the minimum requirements for the Residency Program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and articles selected by interest for the theme development, at the SciELO and Medline databases, between 2000 and 2017. DATA SYNTHESIS: The historical antecedents and the initial evolution of pediatric emergency in Brazil, as well as several challenges were described, regarding the organization, the size, the training of professionals, and also the regulation of the professional practice in this new specialty. Additionally, a new pediatric emergency residency program to be implemented in Brazil is described. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric emergency training will be a powerful stimulus to attract talented individuals, to establish them in this key area of medicine, where they can exercise their leadership by promoting care qualification, research, and teaching, as well as acting decisively in their management.

Pediatric emergency in Brazil: the consolidation of an area in the pediatric field / Emergência pediátrica no Brasil: a consolidação da área de atuação para o pediatra

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to present a review on the evolution, development, and consolidation of the pediatric emergency abroad and in Brazil, as well as to discuss the residency program in this key area for pediatricians. Data sources: This was a narrative review, in which the authors used pre-selected documents utilized as the minimum requirements for the Residency Program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and articles selected by interest for the theme development, at the SciELO and Medline databases, between 2000 and 2017. Data synthesis: The historical antecedents and the initial evolution of pediatric emergency in Brazil, as well as several challenges were described, regarding the organization, the size, the training of professionals, and also the regulation of the professional practice in this new specialty. Additionally, a new pediatric emergency residency program to be implemented in Brazil is described. Conclusions: Pediatric emergency training will be a powerful stimulus to attract talented individuals, to establish them in this key area of medicine, where they can exercise their leadership by promoting care qualification, research, and teaching, as well as acting decisively in their management.

Resumo Objetivo: Apresentar uma revisão sobre a evolução, o desenvolvimento e a consolidação da emergência pediátrica no exterior e no Brasil, assim como discutir o programa de residência nessa importante área de atuação para o pediatra. Fontes dos dados: Revisão do tipo narrativa, em que os autores usaram documentos pré-selecionados empregados nos requisitos mínimos para o programa em Residência de Medicina de Emergência Pediátrica e para artigos selecionados por interesse para desenvolvimento do tema usaram as bases de dados SciELO e Medline entre 2000 e 2017. Síntese dos dados: Foram descritos os antecedentes históricos e a evolução inicial da emergência pediátrica no Brasil e diversos desafios, na organização, no dimensionamento, na formação de profissionais e, também, na regulamentação do exercício profissional dessa nova especialidade. Também se descreve um novo programa de residência em emergência pediátrica a ser implantado no Brasil Conclusões: A formação em emergência pediátrica será um poderoso estímulo para atrair indivíduos talentosos, fixá-los nessa importante área da medicina, na qual poderão exercer sua liderança e promover qualificação na assistência, na pesquisa e no ensino, assim como atuar decisivamente no seu gerenciamento.

Parents' perspectives on the deaths of their children in two Brazilian paediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality of care offered to terminally ill children and their families in the last days of life in two Brazilian Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) from the parents' perspectives. METHODS: This was a qualitative, exploratory study. Parents of a child who had died in one of the PICUs 6-12 months previously were invited to take part in two interviews: a private meeting with the PICU assistant physician who cared for their child, to discuss and review any outstanding issues related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, and a recorded interview with a researcher who was not involved in the child's treatment. Data from the interviews with the researcher were posteriorly grouped in categories according to recurrent terms. RESULTS: Six categories emerged, three of which are reported here. The quality of communication was low; the medical staff frequently used technical terms, limiting understanding. Parental participation in the decision-making process was scarce; decisions were based on the medical perspective. Finally, families reported uncompassionate attitudes from the medical staff and excessive technology in the final moments surrounding the child's death, although nurses were highly involved with palliative care measures and demonstrated sympathetic and supportive postures. CONCLUSION: The interviews uncovered deficiencies in the care provided to parents in the PICUs, indicating a need for changes in practice.

Nurses' participation in the end-of-life process in two paediatric intensive care units in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the medical and nursing care provided to children in the last 24 hours of life in two Brazilian paediatric intensive care units and analyse the nurses' participation in the decision-making process for life support limitation (LSL). The study was based on an analysis of the patients' medical charts, looking at the medical and nursing care provided in the last 24 hours of life during a 6-month period in the two units, and on semi-structured interviews with 20 nurses to evaluate their participation in LSL decisions. The children were classified into two groups: those who were to receive full cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a non-CPR group. A total of 34 deaths occurred during the study period. Of these, 17 (50%) were children that had been in the non-CPR group; there were only 10 recorded LSL plans in their medical charts. In the interviews, only 30% of the nurses mentioned active participation in LSL decisions. In conclusion, the paediatric intensive care nurses in these two Brazilian units did not participate much in LSL decisions, and the care offered in the last hours of life to children with terminal and irreversible illness was not primarily directed toward comfort and alleviating suffering.

Tuberculosis is associated with a down-modulatory lung immune response that impairs Th1-type immunity.

Immune mediators associated with human tuberculosis (TB) remain poorly defined. This study quantified levels of lung immune mediator gene expression at the time of diagnosis and during anti-TB treatment using cells obtained by induced sputum. Upon comparison to patients with other infectious lung diseases and volunteers, active pulmonary TB cases expressed significantly higher levels of mediators that counteract Th1-type and innate immunity. Despite the concomitant heightened levels of Th1-type mediators, immune activation may be rendered ineffectual by high levels of intracellular (SOCS and IRAK-M) and extracellular (IL-10 and TGF-betaRII, IL-1Rn, and IDO) immune suppressive mediators. These modulators are a direct response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis as, by day 30 of anti-TB treatment, many suppressive factors declined to that of controls whereas most Th1-type and innate immune mediators rose above pretreatment levels. Challenge of human immune cells with M. tuberculosis in vitro up-regulated these immune modulators as well. The observed low levels of NO synthase-2 produced by alveolar macrophages at TB diagnosis, along with the heightened amounts of suppressive mediators, support the conclusion that M. tuberculosis actively promotes down-modulatory mediators to counteract Th1-type and innate immunity as an immunopathological strategy. Our data highlight the potential application of immune mediators as surrogate markers for TB diagnosis or treatment response.

Profile and consequences of children requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation in three Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of children submitted to prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), and evaluate their mortality, and associated factors as well as the potential impact at admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study enrolling all children admitted to three Brazilian PICUs between January 2003 and December 2005 submitted to MV > or =21 days. The three selected PICUs were located in university-affiliated hospitals. From the medical charts were reported anthropometric data, diagnosis, ventilator parameters on the 21st day, length of MV, length of stay in the PICU, specific interventions (e.g., tracheostomy), and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-four children (190 admissions) were submitted to prolonged MV (2.5% of all admissions to these 3 Brazilian PICUs), with a median age of 6 months. The mortality rate was 48% and the median time on MV was 32 days. Tracheostomy was performed on only 19% of the patients and, on average after 32 days of intubation. Mortality was associated with peak inspiratory pressure >25 cm H2O (odds ratio = 2.3; 1.1-5.1), fraction of inspired oxygen >0.5 (odds ratio = 6.3; 2.2-18.1), and vasoactive drug infusion (odds ratio = 2.6; 1.1-5.9) on the 21st day of MV. Seventy-six children (1% of the all admissions) were dependent on MV without other organ failures were 830 PICU admissions and were potentially prevented. CONCLUSIONS: A small group of children admitted to the PICU requires prolonged MV. The elevated mortality rate is associated with higher ventilatory parameters and vasoactive drug support on the 21st day of MV. Stable children requiring prolonged MV in the PICU potentially prevent additional admissions of a large number of acute and unstable patients.

End-of-life practices in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of life support limitation and medical practices in the last 48 hrs of life of children in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicenter retrospective study based on medical chart review. SETTING: Seven PICUs belonging to university and tertiary hospitals located in three Brazilian regions: two in Porto Alegre (southern region), two in São Paulo (southeastern region), and three in Salvador (northeastern region). PATIENTS: Medical records of all children who died in seven PICUs from January 2003 to December 2004. Deaths in the first 24 hrs of admission to the PICU and brain death were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Two pediatric intensive care residents from each PICU were trained to fill out a standard protocol (kappa = 0.9) to record demographic data and all medical management provided in the last 48 hrs of life (inotropes, sedatives, mechanical ventilation, full resuscitation maneuvers or not). Student's t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and relative risk were used for comparison of data. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-one deaths were identified; 97 records were excluded (61 because of brain death and 36 due to <24 hrs in the PICU). Thirty-six medical charts could not be found. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in 242 children (57%) with a significant difference between the southeastern and northeastern regions (p = .0003). Older age (p = .025) and longer PICU stay (p = .001) were associated with do-not-resuscitate orders. In just 52.5% of the patients with life support limitation, the decision was clearly recorded in the medical chart. No ventilatory support was provided in 14 cases. Inotropic drug infusions were maintained or increased in 66% of patients with do-not-resuscitate orders. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of life support limitation has increased among Brazilian PICUs but with significant regional differences. Do-not-resuscitate orders are still the most common practice, with scarce initiatives for withdrawing or withholding life support measures.

End-of-life care in children: the Brazilian and the international perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the medical practices and the end-of-life care provided to children admitted to pediatric intensive care units in different parts of the globe. SOURCES: Articles on end-of-life care published during the last 20 years were selected from the PubMed, MEDLINE and LILACS databases, with emphasis on studies of death in pediatric intensive care units in Brazil, Latin America, Europe and North America, using the following keywords: death, bioethics, pediatric intensive care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life support limitation. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Publications on life support limitation (LSL) are concentrated in North America and Europe. In North American pediatric intensive care units there is a greater incidence of LSL (approximately 60%) than in Europe or Latin America (30-40%). These differences appear to be related to cultural, religious, legal and economic factors. Over the last decade, LSL in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units has increased from 6 to 40%, with do not resuscitate orders as the most common method. Also of note is the low level of family participation in the decision-making process. A recent resolution adopted by the Federal Medical Council (Conselho Federal de Medicina) regulated LSL in our country, demystifying a certain apprehension of a legal nature. The authors present a proposal for a protocol to be followed in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of LSL with children in the final phases of irreversible diseases has ethical, moral and legal support. In Brazil, these measures are still being adopted in a timid manner, demanding a change in behavior, especially in the involvement of families in the decision-making process.

Cuidados de final de vida em crianças: perspectivas no Brasil e no mundo / End-of-life care in children: the Brazilian and the international perspectives

OBJETIVO: Analisar as práticas médicas e os cuidados de final de vida oferecidos a crianças internadas em unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico em diferentes regiões do planeta. FONTES DOS DADOS: Foram selecionados artigos sobre cuidados de final de vida publicados nos últimos 20 anos nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE e LILACS, com ênfase nos estudos sobre morte em unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico no Brasil, América Latina, Europa e América do Norte, usando as seguintes palavras-chave: morte, bioética, tratamento intensivo pediátrico, reanimação cardiopulmonar e limitação de suporte de vida. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Observa-se uma concentração de publicações sobre limitação de suporte de vida (LSV) na América do Norte e Europa. Nas unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico norte-americanas, observa-se uma maior incidência de LSV (~ 60 por cento) do que na Europa e América Latina (30-40 por cento). Essas diferenças parecem estar relacionadas a fatores culturais, religiosos, legais e econômicos. Na última década, a LSV em unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico brasileiras aumentou de 6 para 40 por cento, sendo a ordem de não reanimar a forma mais freqüente. Destaca-se, ainda, a pequena participação da família no processo decisório. Recente resolução do Conselho Federal de Medicina normatiza a LSV em nosso meio, desmistificando alguns receios de ordem legal. Os autores apresentam uma proposta de protocolo a ser seguido nesta eventualidade. CONCLUSÕES: Adoção de LSV em crianças em fase final de doença irreversível tem amparo ético, moral e legal. No Brasil, essas medidas são ainda adotadas de forma tímida, exigindo uma mudança de comportamento, especialmente no envolvimento da família no processo decisório.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the medical practices and the end-of-life care provided to children admitted to pediatric intensive care units in different parts of the globe. SOURCES: Articles on end-of-life care published during the last 20 years were selected from the PubMed, MEDLINE and LILACS databases, with emphasis on studies of death in pediatric intensive care units in Brazil, Latin America, Europe and North America, using the following keywords: death, bioethics, pediatric intensive care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life support limitation. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Publications on life support limitation (LSL) are concentrated in North America and Europe. In North American pediatric intensive care units there is a greater incidence of LSL (~ 60 percent) than in Europe or Latin America (30-40 percent). These differences appear to be related to cultural, religious, legal and economic factors. Over the last decade, LSL in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units has increased from 6 to 40 percent, with do not resuscitate orders as the most common method. Also of note is the low level of family participation in the decision-making process. A recent resolution adopted by the Federal Medical Council (Conselho Federal de Medicina) regulated LSL in our country, demystifying a certain apprehension of a legal nature. The authors present a proposal for a protocol to be followed in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of LSL with children in the final phases of irreversible diseases has ethical, moral and legal support. In Brazil, these measures are still being adopted in a timid manner, demanding a change in behavior, especially in the involvement of families in the decision-making process.

Brain death: medical management in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de morte encefálica (ME), bem como as condutas e protocolos adotados após confirmação diagnóstica em sete unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico (UTIP) localizadas em três regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e multicêntrico baseado na revisão e análise retrospectiva de prontuários de todos os óbitos ocorridos entre janeiro de 2003 e dezembro de 2004 em sete UTIP localizadas em Porto Alegre (duas), São Paulo (duas) e Salvador (três). Dois residentes de cada serviço previamente treinados preencheram protocolo padronizado avaliando dados demográficos, causa do óbito, critérios para diagnóstico de ME e conduta médica adotada. RESULTADOS: Identificamos 525 óbitos, sendo 61 (11,6 por cento) com diagnóstico de ME. A incidência de ME diferiu entre as sete UTIP (24,2 a 4,5 por cento; p = 0,015), porém sem diferença nas três regiões (12, 15 e 7 por cento; p = 0,052). A causa mais freqüente foi hemorragia intracraniana (31,1 por cento). Em 80 por cento dos casos, o diagnóstico clínico de ME foi confirmado por exame complementar (100 por cento na Região Sul, 68 por cento na Sudeste e 72 por cento na Nordeste, p = 0,02). A retirada de suporte vital após diagnóstico de ME diferiu nas três regiões, sendo mais rápida (p = 0,04) no Sul (1,8±1,9 h) que no Sudeste (28,6±43,2 h) e Nordeste (15,5±17,1 h). Apenas seis (9,8 por cento) crianças com ME foram doadoras de órgãos. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da lei que define critérios para ME existir no Brasil desde 1997, verificamos que ela não é obedecida uniformemente. Conseqüentemente, suporte vital desnecessário é ofertado a indivíduos já mortos, existindo ainda um modesto envolvimento das UTIP com doações de órgãos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of brain death (BD) and its medical management and adopted protocols after its diagnosis in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in three Brazilian regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted, based on the retrospective review of medical records regarding all deaths that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 in seven Brazilian PICUs of tertiary hospitals located in Porto Alegre (two), São Paulo (two) and Salvador (three). Two pediatric intensive care residents from each hospital were previously trained and filled out a standard protocol for the investigation of demographic data, cause of death, diagnosis of BD, related protocols and subsequent medical management. RESULTS: A total of 525 death patients were identified and 61 (11.6 percent) were defined as BD. The incidence of BD was different (p = 0.015) across the seven PICUs, but with no difference across the three regions. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most frequent cause of BD (31.1 percent). In 80 percent of the cases the diagnosis of BD was confirmed by complementary exams (south = 100 percent, southeast = 68 percent and northeast = 72 percent; p = 0.02). The interval between the diagnosis of BD and the withdrawal of life support was different (p < 0.01) across the three regions, being faster (p = 0.04) in the south (1.8±1.9 h) than in the southeast (28.6±43.2 h) and than in the northeast (15.5±17.1 h). Only six (9.8 percent) children with BD were organ donors. CONCLUSION: Although a Brazilian law defining the criteria for the determination of BD has been in place since 1997, we verified that it is not followed as strictly as it should be. Consequently, unnecessary life support is offered to deceased individuals, and there is a discrete involvement of PICUs in organ donation.

Brain death: medical management in seven Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of brain death (BD) and its medical management and adopted protocols after its diagnosis in seven pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) located in three Brazilian regions. METHODS: A cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted, based on the retrospective review of medical records regarding all deaths that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 in seven Brazilian PICUs of tertiary hospitals located in Porto Alegre (two), São Paulo (two) and Salvador (three). Two pediatric intensive care residents from each hospital were previously trained and filled out a standard protocol for the investigation of demographic data, cause of death, diagnosis of BD, related protocols and subsequent medical management. RESULTS: A total of 525 death patients were identified and 61 (11.6%) were defined as BD. The incidence of BD was different (p = 0.015) across the seven PICUs, but with no difference across the three regions. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most frequent cause of BD (31.1%). In 80% of the cases the diagnosis of BD was confirmed by complementary exams (south = 100%, southeast = 68% and northeast = 72%; p = 0.02). The interval between the diagnosis of BD and the withdrawal of life support was different (p < 0.01) across the three regions, being faster (p = 0.04) in the south (1.8+/-1.9 h) than in the southeast (28.6+/-43.2 h) and than in the northeast (15.5+/-17.1 h). Only six (9.8%) children with BD were organ donors. CONCLUSION: Although a Brazilian law defining the criteria for the determination of BD has been in place since 1997, we verified that it is not followed as strictly as it should be. Consequently, unnecessary life support is offered to deceased individuals, and there is a discrete involvement of PICUs in organ donation.

[Life support limitation at three pediatric intensive care units in southern Brazil]. / Limitação de suporte de vida em três unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica do sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: To describe causes of death and factors involved in the decision-making process related to life support limitation at three university-affiliated pediatric intensive care units in the south of Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted, based on a review of the medical records of all deaths occurring during 2002 at three pediatric intensive care units in Porto Alegre. Three previously trained pediatric fellows from each service performed the study. Data were assessed relating to general case characteristics, causes of death (failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, brain death, do-not-resuscitate orders, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment -- the last three modes were classified as the life support limitation group), length of stay in hospital, end-of-life plans and the participation of patients families and Ethics Committees. The Student t test, Mann Whitney, chi-square, odds ratio and multivariate analyses were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Close to 53.3% of fatal cases had received full cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The incidence of life support limitation was 36%, with statistical differences (p = 0.014) between the three hospitals (25 versus 54.3 and 45.5%, respectively). The most frequent form of life support limitation was a do-not-resuscitate order (70%). Life support limitation was associated with the presence of chronic disease (odds ratio = 8.2; 95%CI 3.2-21.3) and length stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (odds ratio = 4.4; 95%CI 1.6-11.8). The rate of involvement of families and Ethics Committees in the decision-making process was lesser than 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is offered more frequently than is observed in northern countries. In contrast, life support limitation is offered through do-not-resuscitate orders. These findings and the low participation of the families in the decision-making process reflect the difficulties to be overcome by those professionals who are responsible for handling critically ill children in southern Brazil.

Limitação de suporte de vida em três unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica do sul do Brasil / Life support limitation at three pediatric intensive care units in Southern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os modos de morte e fatores associados à limitação de suporte de vida em três unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica do sul do Brasil. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal e retrospectivo em que foram revisados todos os óbitos ocorridos em 2002 em três unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica de referência de Porto Alegre por uma equipe de pesquisadores treinados para esse fim. Foram avaliadas as características gerais, o modo de morte (ressuscitação cardiopulmonar, morte encefálica, ordem de não reanimar, não oferta e retirada de suporte vital - esses três últimos agrupados em limitação de suporte de vida), o tempo de internação - hospitalar e na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica -, o plano de final de vida e a participação da família nessa decisão. Para as comparações, foram utilizados o teste t de Student, Mann Whitney, qui-quadrado, odds ratio e análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: Aproximadamente 53,3 por cento dos óbitos receberam ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. A incidência de limitação de suporte de vida foi de 36,1 por cento, havendo diferença significativa (p = 0,014) entre os hospitais (25 versus 54,3 e 45,5 por cento). A forma de limitação de suporte de vida mais freqüente foi "ordem de não reanimar" (70 por cento). Observou-se associação entre limitação de suporte de vida com presença de doença crônica (odds ratio = 8,2; IC95 por cento = 3,2-21,3) e tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica > 24h (odds ratio = 4,4; IC95 por cento = 1,6-11,8). A participação da família e dos comitês de ética no plano de final de vida foi inferior a 10 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: A ressuscitação cardiopulmonar ainda é oferecida em uma freqüência maior do que a descrita nos países do hemisfério norte, enquanto que a limitação de suporte vital é realizada preferentemente através da ordem de não reanimar. Esses achados e a pequena participação da família refletem dificuldades em relação às decisões de final de vida enfrentadas por intensivistas do sul do Brasil.

[Analgesia and sedation in emergency situations and in the pediatric intensive care unit]. / Analgesia e sedação em situações de emergência e unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current strategies for use of sedatives and analgesics in emergency rooms and intensive care units. SOURCE OF DATA: Original data from our emergency rooms and intensive care units; Medline literature review focused on sedatives and analgesic drugs; textbooks. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Despite the advances in understanding pain in children, in many critical care units the misguided treatment of pain and anxiety still results in significant morbidity. Difficulties in communication, invasive procedures and the belief that children do not have sufficient neurologic development to process noxious sensations are still a challenge in intensive care units. CONCLUSIONS: The last decade was marked by significant advances in understanding pediatric pain. Treating intensive care unit-related pain and anxiety has clear benefits which may influence the course of disease.

Analgesia e sedação em situações de emergência e unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico / Analgesia and sedation in emergency situations and in the pediatric intensive care unit

OBJETIVO: Revisar as atuais estratégias de uso de analgésicos e sedativos em salas de emergência e em unidades de tratamento intensivo pediátrico. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão de bibliografia realizada na base de dados da Medline, além de capítulos de livros de terapia intensiva pediátrica e da experiência dos serviços dos autores. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Apesar de todos os avanços e pesquisas no campo da dor, o uso de sedativos e analgésicos em unidades intensivas pediátricas continua deficitário. A dor e o desconforto associados a situações de urgência, procedimentos invasivos e internações prolongadas ainda resultam em significativa morbidade aos pacientes pediátricos criticamente enfermos. A dificuldade de comunicação do paciente pediátrico com a equipe médica, a grande quantidade de procedimentos invasivos necessários à manutenção da vida, aliados à antiga premissa de que os mecanismos de dor não estão bem desenvolvidos nas crianças, fazem desse tema um desafio nas unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Neste estudo, revisamos as drogas mais utilizadas no manejo da dor e sedação, apresentando novas opções terapêuticas mais largamente estudadas recentemente. CONCLUSÕES: Nos últimos dez anos, desenvolveu-se uma consciência mais crítica em relação à necessidade de promover um adequado alívio da dor e da ansiedade inerentes aos ambientes de emergência e de UTI, devendo ser esta uma prioridade no planejamento terapêutico de crianças extremamente doentes.